DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WORK

Job Requisition ID: 59215 
Opening Date: 10/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026
Agency: Department of Human Services
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 
Skill Option: Special License - Social Worker/Clinical Social Worker 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Salary: $10,127 - $11,647 per month ($121,524 - $139,764 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Supervisory Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage
Work Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm; 1-hour unpaid lunch
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office
Headquarter Location: 4500 College Ave, Alton, Illinois, 62002

Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery

Alton Mental Health Center

Medical Department/Social Work Department-Forensic Building
Work County: Madison
Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@Illinois.gov

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended. 

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is seeking to hire a Director of Social Work for the Alton Mental Health Center located in Alton, Illinois responsible for directing the Social Work Department for both forensic and civil patients. The incumbent will manage and be competent to perform all clinical social work functions for patients of the hospital; Provide clinical supervision for all professional staff in the Social Work Department; Oversee social work operations including admission and discharge services. Develop and implements social service policies, procedures, standards of care, practices, and activities; and adhere to state and federal laws and statues that govern AMHC practices. Alton Mental Health Center strives to provide equitable access to social/human services, supports, programs and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the Director of Social Work for the Alton Mental Health Center.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Laise with the State Director of Social Work, other department heads of the hospital, community agency providers to gather and disseminate information.
• Provide support to Social Workers who manage both forensic and civil patients and demonstrate ability to formulate comprehensive interventions for difficult/complex cases.
• Work with Social Workers and treatment teams on continuity of care and related issues.
• Supports hospital Strategic Plan and attends hospital and statewide meetings as a representative for Social Workers.
• Assesses the needs for Social Service training activities to develop/maintain an orientation program for new social work employees and interns.
• Serves as support/back-up liaison for court processes.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a recognized social agency.
• Requires licensure by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as a licensed Clinical Social worker.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of professional experience planning and implementing a social work services program for patients with mental illness.
• Five (5) years of managerial/supervisory experience in a public or private organization that delivers inpatient or outpatient psychiatric services.
• Five (5) years of professional experience performing social work activities in the evaluation and treatment of patients.
• Four (4) years of professional experience assessing, developing and implementing training activities in a private or public organization.
• Four (4) years of professional experience creating reports on social services and performance improvement activities for a public or private organization.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.
• Requires the ability to physically restrain patients as necessary to prevent injury to patient or others.
• Requires the ability to obtain and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate. 
• Requires the ability to pass CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Training. 
• Requires the ability to serve as Administrator of the Day. 
• Requires the ability to work after business hours, weekends, and holidays. 
• Requires the ability to travel the performance of job duties. 

*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois.  Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives.  Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois.  Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:Ab

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Detailed application instructions can be found in the Current Employee Guide at Application Procedures or by logging in to the career portal for State employees and viewing the instructions on Completing the Electronic Application.

Non-State employees: Detailed application instructions can be found in the External Applicant Guide at Application Procedures or from Illinois.jobs2web.com – click Application Resources in the footer of every page of the website.

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of the posting to begin the application process. If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.

State employees should sign in via the Employee Login link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon to sign in to their career portal. 

Non-State employees should click the Sign Up link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon to sign in to an existing external account or to create a new external account.

State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com